Pátzcuaro’s Achoque, an Ancient Species
The achoque (ambystoma dumerilii) is an endemic of salamander species in danger of extinction in our Lake Pátzcuaro. One of the main factors that led it almost to disappear was the pollution of Lake Pátzcuaro, which has increased in recent years.
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| Patzcuaro's Achoque, an Ancient Species |
Through different institutions, such as the CRIAP (Regional Center for Aquaculture and Fisheries Research), the Michoacán University of San Nicolás de Hidalgo (UMSNH), the Zacango Ecological Park, and organizations and institutions from other countries such as the Chester Zoo in England, as well as "The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund," much has been done in researching conservation of the species including, incredibly, the nuns of the convent of the Dominican Mothers in Pátzcuaro!
Pátzcuaro’s achoque syrup is a product created by the Dominican nuns as a treatment for respiratory diseases. The “dumerilii” part of the name indicates that there are medicinal properties associated with the “ambystoma.”
The achoque has had importance in the communities of the shore of Lake Pátzcuaro, primarily as a remedy to combat anemia, consumed only by the Purépecha nobility in pre-Hispanic times.
It is important to highlight the work of the Dominican Mothers in their efforts to preserve this species of Lake Pátzcuaro, which is so valuable to the ecosystem of our lake.
When the achoque began to become scarce, the Dominican Mothers noticed the problem and began to cultivate it in fish tanks, but also with the passage of time they have supported research on the achoque under the supervision of biologists from the Michoacán University of San Nicolás de Hidalgo.
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| Pátzcuaro's Achoque, an Ancient Species |
So what is the “achoque”? That is a common question of our guests at Mansión Iturbe when they hear about this famous syrup.
Here are a few items of interest about the achoque:
· It is an ancient species, going back some 370 million years.
· It is one of eighteen species of salamander that are found in Mexico.
· Abystoma is the scientific name of the salamanders in general, and abystoma
dumerilii is that of the achoque.
· Its name in Purépecha is: "achójki" meaning tadpole.
· In Michoacán there are 5 species of salamander, but the achoque is
found only in Lake Pátzcuaro.
· It is amphibian, like frogs and toads.
· It has a soft skin.
· It breathes through gills.
· It has the ability to regenerate limbs.
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| Pátzcuaro's Achoque, an Ancient Species |
What is the
difference between the achoque and the axolotl? The two are salamanders and their difference is most notably
in their color: the axolotl is pinkish and the achoque is
a darker green color.
Currently, in
the Benito Juárez Zoological Park in Morelia, you will find the exhibition
"The Wonderful World of Achoque", which we had the opportunity to
visit. The information in this blog is based on that visit.
*Text and pictures property of Hotel Mansión Iturbe.
We invite you to check more post in our blog, you will find information about Pátzcuaro and its surroundings, that we hope will be useful for your next trip to our colonial town in Mexico.
Here are some post that we suggest you:
Lets take care of the enviroment when we visit Pátzcuaro and lake area
Sustainable Tourism in and around Lake Pátzcuaro
Responsible Tourism and alternative for Lake Pátzcuaro
Plaza Vasco de Quiroga
61600 Pátzcuaro, Michoacán.
México
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